Musical toy

ABSTRACT

A simulated toy barn having a picture disc driven by a spring motor which includes a musical movement. The disc has illustrations of farm animals which may be viewed through openings in the front wall, and a shutter which alternately opens and closes for exposing and covering the illustrations as they pass in front of the openings. The shutter is driven through a slip clutch integral with the disc.

United States Patent [191 J ernstrom MUSICAL TOY [75] Inventor: Hans Jernstrom,No rthhrook,lll.

[73] Assignee: Sidney A. Tarrson Dowagiac, Mich.

221 Filed: June 11, 1971 21 Appl.No.:152,262

Company,

[52] US. Cl ..46/1 R, 46/175, 40/34, 35/74 [51] Int. Cl. ..A63h 33/00 [58] Field of Search ..46/l, 175, 185; 40/34, 70; 353/88; 35/74 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,490,171 1/1970 Crawford et a1. ..46/l R 111 11 March 6, 1973 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 712,342 7/1954 Great Britain ..35/74 Primary Examiner--Louis G. Mancene Assistant Examiner-D. L. Weinhold Attorney-Gerald M. Newman [57] ABSTRACT A simulated toy barn having a picture disc driven by a spring motor which includes a musical movement. The disc has illustrations of farm animals which may be viewed through openings in the front wall, and a shutter which alternately opens and closes for exposing and covering the illustrations: as they pass in front of the openings. The shutter is driven through a slip clutch integral with the disc.

9 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTEDMAR 6|973 SHEET 2 or 2 Hans Jrnsfrom.

MUSICAL TOY FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates in general to childrens toys and in particular to toys which concurrently involve the senses of sight and sound. More particularly, this invention relates to musical toys having illustrations displaying objects which are of special interest to young children and wherein the illustrations are correlated to the theme of a musical melody.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART Young children are particularly attracted to toys incorporating musical movements and typically display great interest in such intriguing phenomenon as the appearance and disappearance of pictures or illustrations. Such toys can amuse children for long periods of time and are both educational and entertaining due to the simultaneous stimulation of sight and sound.

As is well known, childrens toys must be constructed to take great abuse and shock without being broken or destroyed. The movements and related mechanism must be particularly rugged in order to withstand the normal abuses of use by children. The movement of the toy of the invention incorporates a clutch of novel construction which is highly resistant to damage and is par ticularly long lasting.

In addition, in view of the mass marketing of such toys it is particularly desirable that the construction and design be sufficiently simple and inexpensive to lend itself to simple, economic manufacture and assembly.

This invention incorporates all of the above desirable characteristics of construction and manufacture and to provide a pleasing and education toy for children which may be subject to much abuse without malfunctioning.

.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the invention a front wall of the toy defines a pair of windows. A disc having a number of illustrations on its front surface is journaled on the back side of the front wall and positioned such that the illustrations register with the windows. The disc is rotated by a spring powered motor incorporating a musical movement. A shutter is interposed between the windows and the disc to normally cover the window openings and a clutch is provided between the disc and shutter so that as the motor drives the disc, the disc in turn drives the shutter to uncover the windows and expose one illustration thereat. When the illustrations out of registry with the windows, the shutter again covers the windows. The motor is wound by a pull string coiled about a sheave on the disc.

Accordingly, an object of this invention is to provide a childs toy which is enjoyed through use of the senses of sight and sound.

Another object of this invention is to provide a childs toy having a musical movement and moving illustrations correlated to the theme of the music.

Another object of this invention is to provide, in a childs toy, illustrations which sequentially appear and disappear.

It is also an object of this invention to provide, in a child's toy which incorporates the senses of sight and sound, a drive means and a clutch of novel and rugged construction capable of withstanding severe physical abuse typically imposed by children.

Other objects and particular features of this invention will become apparent from an understanding of the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the toy construction incorporating the principals of the invention with a portion of the front wall broken away for clarity;

FIG. 2 is an elevational, cross-sectional view of the toy construction of the invention. in the same scale as FIG. 1, taken along Section line 2-2 thereof;

FIG. 3 is a slightly enlarged rear view of the disc and shutter illustrating details of the slip clutch; and

FIG. 4 is a front right-side perspective view of the apparatus of the invention on the same scale as FIGS. 1 and 2 with the front and right-side walls partially broken away illustrating the shutter in full lines in a first position and illustrating the shutter in broken lines in a second position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2,1 the invention is seen to include a molded plastic frame generally referred to by reference numeral 10 comprising a front wall 12 having a front surface molded to simulate the shape and construction of a barn, a left side wall 14 and a right side wall 16, a back wall 20, a bottom 22 and a top wall 24. Top wall 24 is sloped to simulate the profile of a typical barn roof.

Front wall 12 defines a small rectangularly shaped lower window 26 and a larger, arcuately shaped upper window 28. The upper window is disposed further than the lower window from a center of rotation 29.

A transparent cover member 30, which may be fabricated from a piece of clear plastic, is secured behind front wall 12 by upper and lower books 32. Cover member 30 overlies windows 26 and 28 and may be snapped behind the books by bending it slightly and slipping it into position thereby eliminating the need for extra screws or rivets. The transparent member allows the illustrations to be viewed through the windows while at the same time preventing the user from touching or otherwise damaging the moving parts.

Front wall 12 includes an integral, rearwardly extending journal of substantial diameter which is co-axially aligned with center 29. The journal carries a planar shutter member 35 having a center portion 37, an upper sector-shaped portion 36 and a similarly shaped lower portion 38 each of which are sufficient size to normally cover windows 26 and 28. The shutter is caused to pivot on the journal by means to be described hereinafter so as to sequentially or periodically uncover the windows thereby allowing the user to view the illustrations in the manner to be described.

As viewed in FIG. 1, the shutter is biased in the clockwise direction by a coil-shaped tension spring 40 which encircles the journal. spring carried in a slot 44 provided. in the journal wall and an inner end 46 of the spring is secured to the shutter. The coil spring is slightly tensed to normally bias the shutter in the clockwise direction. Movement of the shutter in this direction is limited by a projection 48 extending from the rear side of the front wall adjacent the upper edge of the shutter. Movement of the An outer end 42 of the coil.

shutter in the opposite direction is limited by a second projection 50 located on the rear side of the front wall adjacent the left side wall of the toy.

A disc 52 preferably fabricated of molded plastic and having an elongated bearing surface 54 to prevent wobble is also carried on journal 32. Disc 52 is located behind shutter 35 and includes two groups or series of pictures on its front surface. In the described embodiment, each picture series consists of six illustrations although a greater or lesser number may be provided without departing from the invention.

The first series of pictures 55 is disposed adjacent the outer edge of the disc so that the pictures will appear one at a time in window 28 as the disc is rotated. In FIG. 1 an illustration ofa cow 53 comprising one of the illustrations of series 55 is shown in registry with window 28. Other pictures of series 55 are diagrammatically shown in FIG. 1 by rectangular boxes.

The second series of pictures 56 provided on the front surface of disc 52 and is located inwardly of the first surface and positioned such that they register, one at a time, with window 26. As noted hereinbefore window 26 is relatively close to center 29. The picture of a horse 55 is shown in registry with window 26 and is representative of the types of animals which may be placed on the disc.

While animals representative ofa farm are described in the illustrated embodiment, it is obvious that the toy could assume other designs and shapes and that pictures related to such other designs and shapes could be employed without departing from the invention.

A spring powered motor 58 which preferably includes a reed type musical movement is secured to back wall 20. The spring motor has a threaded drive shaft 60 onto which a square drive nut 62 is tightly secured. The drive nut is received by an internally complimentary shaped rear extension of disc bearing 54. Shaft 60 is driven by a drive spring internal of the motor (not shown) to thereby rotate disc 52. In addition, rotational movement of the disc by means described hereinafter may be transmitted through shaft 60 to wind the drive spring of motor 58.

Disc 52 includes a sheave 66 molded integral with its back surface. A pull string 68 is wrapped around the sheave and its free end is threaded downwardly through an open 70. The free end is tied to a pull ring 72 which may be housed in a pocket 74 in front wall 12. When the ring is pulled downwardly string 68 unwinds from the sheave causing it to turn counter-clockwise. This movement is transmitted through drive nut 62 to shaft 60 to thereby wind the drive spring of motor 58. When the pull ring is released the spring tension of motor 58 rotates the disc clockwise thereby winding the pull string back onto the sheave.

Turning now additionallyto FIGS. 3 and 4, in accordance with the invention, the clockwise movement of disc 52 is transmitted to shutter 35 through a clutch 80. The clutch comprises six small evenly spaced driving pins or projections 82 on the front surface of the disc. The pins are located in a circle a short distance from bearing 54. These pins cooperate with a pair of ribs 84 molded integral with the rear surface of the shutter. The ribs and the pins are located the same distance from center 29 and the pins cooperate with the ribs to move the shutter from its normal position of rest against stop 48, to a second position of engagement with stop 50.

More particularly, as best seen in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 diametrically opposed pins 81a and 81b cooperate with ribs 84 to pivot the shutter clockwise against the biasing of spring 40 and into engagement with stop 50. When the shutter engages stop 50 its further clockwise movement is restrained although motor 58 continues to drive the disc. The drive pins urge the shutter toward the front wall against the slight pressure exerted by spring 40 and the pins override the ribs releasing the shutter and allowing the tension of spring 40 to return it to its normal position of engagement with stop 48.

As noted, spring 40 biases the shutter in the axial direction so that the ribs cooperate with the drive pins and also allows the shutter to move slightly away from the disc to facillitate the overriding action of the pins relative to the ribs.

Operationally, as the pull string is unwound from the sheave, the spring of drive motor 58 is tightly wound. Upon releasing the pull string the drive motor drives disc 52 in a counter-clockwise direction causing the illustrations to move past windows 26 and 28.

Simultaneously, clutch by means of drive pins 82 and ribs 84 sequentially moves the shutter away from the windows thereby uncovering the pictures which are then appearing at the respective windows. As soon as the pictures are fully displayed at the windows the shutter is released and returns to its normal position of covering the windows. The result is a musical toy by means of which the child observes pictures appear and disappear in a fascinating sequence. The child is further fascinated by the fact that as soon as an illustration appears in its entirety it quickly disappears. The musical movement continues to play and the movement of the pictures past the windows continues until the pull string is fully returned to the sheave. The theme of the music is desirably related to the illustrations shown at the windows. For example, in the construction described, the musical movement may play the melody Old Mac- Donald Had a Farm.

It is obvious that upon study by those skilled in the art, the disclosed invention may be altered or modified both in physical appearance and construction without departing from its inventive concept. Therefore, the scope of protection to be given this invention should not be limited by the embodiment described above but should be determined by the essential descriptions thereof which appear in the appended claims.

The embodiments of the' invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

l. A toy comprising a frame defining an opening; a movable member carrying a plurality of illustrations positioned to sequentially register with said opening; shutter means covering said opening; means for driving said movable member, and means operatively connecting said driving means and said shutter for uncovering said opening in synchronism with registry of an illustration.

2. The toy as set forth in claim 1 wherein said movable member comprises a disc joumaled for rotational movement on said frame and wherein said disc is continuously driven by said driving means.

3. The toy as set forth in claim 1 wherein said shutter is journaled on said frame for pivotal movement and spring means for maintaining said shutter in a normal position covering said window.

4. A toy as set forth in claim 1 wherein said clutch means comprise a rib on said shutter means and a plurality of driving pins extending from said movable member toward said rib and cooperating therewith to drive said shutter means to a stop position whereat said window is uncovered and an illustration is exposed, and subsequently overriding said rib to release said shutter means to cover said window.

5. The toy as set forth in claim 4 wherein said movable member comprises a disc journaled for rotational movement on said frame, wherein said drive means comprises a spring powered motor, and wherein said disc includes a sheave carrying a pull string for winding said spring.

6. The toy as set forth in claim 5 wherein said motor means includes a musical movement wherein said frame comprises a simulated barn and wherein said disc carries illustrations of farm animals.

7. A toy comprising a frame defining two windows; a

movable shutter journaled on said frame and a spring biasing said shutter to a position to normally cover said windows; shutter stop means defining the position of said shutter when said windows are uncovered; a disc bearing a plurality of illustrations journaled on said frame behind the shutter and c-oaxially therewith; motor means rotatably driving said disc; and clutch means operatively connecting said disc to said shutter to sequentially move said shutter and uncover said windows to expose the illustrations.

8. The toy as set forth in claim 7 wherein said clutch means comprise a plurality of drive pins extending from said disc in the direction of said shutter and a rib on said shutter which is engaged by a drive pin for moving said shutter to its stop position, said pin subsequently overriding said rib to release the shutter and allow it to return to its normal position.

9. The toy as set forth in claim 8 wherein said motor means comprise a drive spring and a musical movement and wherein said disc includes a sheave carrying a pull string for winding said spring. 

1. A toy comprising a frame defining an opening; a movable member carrying a plurality of illustrations positioned to sequentially register with said opening; shutter means covering said opening; means for driving said movable member, and means operatively connecting said driving means and said shutter for uncovering said opening in synchronism with registry of an illustration.
 1. A toy comprising a frame defining an opening; a movable member carrying a plurality of illustrations positioned to sequentially register with said opening; shutter means covering said opening; means for driving said movable member, and means operatively connecting said driving means and said shutter for uncovering said opening in synchronism with registry of an illustration.
 2. The toy as set forth in claim 1 wherein said movable member comprises a disc journaled for rotational movement on said frame and wherein said disc is continuously driven by said driving means.
 3. The toy as set forth in claim 1 wherein said shutter is journaled on said frame for pivotal movement and spring means for maintaining said shutter in a normal position covering said window.
 4. A toy as set forth in claim 1 wherein said clutch means comprise a rib on said shutter means and a plurality of driving pins extending from said movable member toward said rib and cooperating therewith to drive said shutter means to a stop position whereat said window is uncovered and an illustration is exposed, and subsequently overriding said rib to release said shutter means to cover said window.
 5. The toy as set forth in claim 4 wherein said movable member comprises a disc journaled for rotational movement on said frame, wherein said drive means comprises a spring powered motor, and wherein said disc includes a sheave carrying a pull string for winding said spring.
 6. The toy as set forth in claim 5 wherein said motor means includes a musical movement wherein said frame comprises a simulated barn and wherein said disc carries illustrations of farm animals.
 7. A toy comprising a frame defining two windows; a movable shutter journaled on said frame and a spring biasing said shutter to a position to normally cover said windows; shutter stop means defining the position of said shutter when said windows are uncovered; a disc bearing a plurality of illustrations journaled on said frame behind the shutter and coaxially therewith; motor means rotatably driving said disc; and clutch means operatively connecting said disc to said shutter to sequentially move said shutter and uncover said windows to expose the illustrations.
 8. The toy as set forth in claim 7 wherein said clutch means comprise a plurality of drive pins extending from said disc in the direction of said shutter and a rib on said shutter which is engaged by a drive pin for moving said shutter to its stop position, said pin subsequently overriding said rib to release the shutter and allow it to return to its normal position. 